A Christmas Present for Malvo!

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A Christmas Present for Malvo!
by Dave Gibson, Columnist

January 15 2004

Dave Gibson Convicted Capital Murderer Lee Boyd Malvo (AP) The decision by a Chesapeake, Virginia jury just two days before Christmas to spare the life of convicted murderer Lee Boyd Malvo (right) proved to be perfect timing for the defense. I have no doubt that had the sentencing phase taken place after Christmas, Malvo would now be awaiting his much deserved date with the executioner.

Had the judge (Jane Marum Roush) sequestered the jury, thus not allowing their heartstrings to be influenced by all of the sights and sounds of the season, the families of those gunned down by that savage killer would now be sleeping a little easier. It is standard practice in a high-profile case, to isolate the jury and it certainly was warranted in this case. Many of the victims' family members have expressed disappointment in the jury, the judge however deserves just as much criticism. As this case wound down and the Christmas holiday neared, Judge Roush should have isolated that jury.

Malvo and Muhammed committed 20 murders throughout Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Washington D.C. Malvo has never expressed any remorse for his actions, he in fact laughed when he told police officers how he chose his helpless victims and how much damage the Bushmaster rifle he used caused to their bodies. Malvo does not deserve sympathy, he deserves the same fate he gave to his unwitting victims.

One of the victims was Lori Ann Lewis-Rivera, who was shot to death by Malvo while outside of a Kensington, Md. gas station. Her mother, Marion Lewis said of the sentence : "I'm very disappointed in the American justice system. Our society has now been sentenced to the responsibility of seeing to this man's health and welfare for the next 30 or 40 years, and that's unconscionable."

Paul LaRuffa of Clinton, Maryland survived an attack from Malvo and Muhammed. He spoke with reporters immediately following the jury's decision and said: "There were two people who did the ultimate crime. One got the ultimate penalty and one didn't. I ask you why?" Could it be the "made for TV Christmas specials", the lights, the trees, the carols, the ever-present Salvation Army bell ringers? All of those things contribute to filling our hearts with the "Christmas spirit". That is the time of year in which we take stock of ourselves and of how perhaps we should atone for our indiscretions. I have no doubt that the impending holiday and the feeling of forgiveness that many of us feel during the twelfth month of the year, had a great influence on the jury's decision.

Giving Malvo life, the jury may have made it easier on themselves to settle in for a winter's slumber and enjoy the holiday with their loved ones. However, it no doubt made an already tough time for the victims' families and the few survivors of Malvo's vicious attacks even worse. These people have to live with the knowledge that Malvo's parents can still speak to their son, while their innocent children, parents, siblings, and friends lie dead. They also know that as long as this monster is alive, there is a chance that he could be released. It is not out of the realm of possibility that in 15 or 20 years, with a very liberal President in the White House...he could receive a pardon.

There is however hope. In Alabama, Malvo and Muhammed are both charged with murder for a shooting outside of a Montgomery liquor store. That attack left the store manager Claudine Parker dead and another employee seriously wounded. Local district attorney Ellen Brooks plans to bring both men to trial in Alabama and she will seek the death penalty. Let us hope that the good people of Alabama will make the right decision and end the life of Lee Boyd Malvo. Let us also hope that the trial finishes long before Christmas. ***

Photo of Dave Gibson courtesy of staff files
Photo of Lee Boyd Malvo courtesy of the Associated Press